Truth Machine

Rating:
Summary: Excellent - a must read
Review: Type: SF/Political. Extremely entertaining first book. Story of what will happen to society if a machine was created that could always tell when you are lying. Reads like an early Michael Crichton book, before he sold out to Hollywood.

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable. Excellent.
Review: I really enjoyed THE TRUTH MACHINE. I was surprised to find that it was the author's first book, and I am waiting for new books by him. I think it shows a very real image of what the future could be like. Many people should read this book and I think the concepts in it should be given some heavy thought. The book was excellent and I recommend it to everyone who likes to read.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting, believable, wonderful
Review: I've just finished The Truth Machine and found it riveting. The premise is believable, and the story was a wonderful plus. I have subsequently word-of-mouth advertised it, although I don't think it'll need it. I am even going to get my husband to read it, and he NEVER reads fiction. You know you've become "attached" to a story when the next book you pick up pales in comparison. Valerie JL Spence, Kingston, Massachusett

Rating:
Summary: Great ideas presented in a mediocre manner.
Review: The author presents many wonderful ideas for us to chew on, but his writing style lacks flavor. I think an actual truth machine would change our societies more than anything in our history. Mostly for the better. I'm glad Mr. Halperin has presented these ideas to us. They are well worth long discussion. But Spider Robinson wrote a much more human and emotionally touching story about the same subject a number of years ago (using a drug rather than a machine to compel the truth). Halperin's characters lack depth, his plots are contrived and the main character's ultimate fate is oh, so ironic. I can only give a qualified recommendation based on his ideas as thought fodder and not on the presentation of them

Rating:
Summary: The best futuristic book I have every read.
Review: I've been a futurist all my life, and am a member of the World Future Society. I've never had the pleasure of reading a better, more plausible, or more entertaining future history. Only Streiber and Kunetka's Nature's End ever came close. Someone could do a great service to humanity by turning this into a movie--maybe inspire some young genius out there to do the things Pete Armstrong did. The Truth Machine is the best work of speculative near future fiction I've ever read, and I've read hundreds! Carlos Baez, Acct. Manager, A&E Television Networks

Rating:
Summary: A very good read even though I disagree with its premise.
Review: After having read the synopsis of the book online (at www.truthmachine.com), I went out and bought it. The book IS a very good read and it DID keep my attention throughout. I don't think that the human race is ready for such a product. Too many unanswered questions. Pete is himself a machine, albeit in human form. How else to contend with the intellect and complete recall of everthing. Mankind is put on this earth with the power of knowing right from wrong. It is up to us to decide how we behave towards ourselves as well as others. There will always be lies, but there will also always be truths. The human race is already too dependent on machines as it is and I, for one, do not want to see some of the things in this book to come to fruition, the TRUTH MACHINE being one of them. It has been said "Follow the Golden Rule". With this admonition, who needs a truth machine?

Rating:
Summary: A 90's version of A Brave New World
Review: For science fiction readers or those who enjoy reading the latest Grisham, Steele, Clark, or Crichton novels, this book outdoes all of them! "A speculative novel," as detailed on the front cover, this book details what happens in the next 150 years when an accurate "lie detector" is created which forces everyone on the planet to become honest. Although it is mentioned in the book that it is "written by a computer", it nonetheless brings you into the lives of its principal characters as well as keep hoping for improvement on this planet. Although in some aspects it is very disturbing, it will nonetheless appeal to either the conservative or liberal in your soul. To say any more about this book would ruin your "speculative" pleasure

Rating:
Summary: Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This book sucks you into a mystifying and yet sill beleviable view of the future. Although I don't belive the "future" as stated in the book totaly, since as of yet there is no "Pete Armstrong" yet born; however, I truly belive that the world is scheduled for another prodigy. The book is well researched and written beautifully. While reading this book I felt that I was in the same time-line as the characters. This book is a must read!!! -TT

Rating:
Summary: The best work of fiction I have ever read--by far.
Review: I recently finished The Truth Machine by James Halperin and I have to admit this book is by far the best I have ever read. It opened up my mind to the future and what lies ahead in the future of the world. I favor everything in this book. One should think long-term progress instead of short-term a in reference to the Swift and Sure Anti-Crime Bill because it wiil eliminate many things in this world people could do without. I hope Mr. Halperin writes more novels, especially on this topic (perhaps a sequel) and I cannot wait to see the movie. Honesty is the best policy in every scenario. While I do not know if one of these machines will be built one day, I hope that our planet can survive the destruction to be caused in the future by terrorists. Too many innocent people are losing their lives and something must be done to stop this terrible tragedy from occuring. I believe in the effectiveness a truth machine can have on our society both today and in the future. The economy would thrive, Pandora's box could be closed, people would be happy and everything would last so much longer for the next generations. We were put on this planet and have enjoyed the advantages, now let us preserve it for the future so that others may share the enjoyment we once had and will cherish. Thank You to the author who I would love to meet or talk to someday about his inspirational book of Truth! --Mark Naggar

Rating:
Summary: One of the most thought-provoking books I have ever read
Review: As both an english writing major and the manager of an independent bookstore I was able to appreciate the book for more than just it's obvious ability to stir up the current trends in sci-fi and fictional writings. As someone who also has studied philosphy and ethics this book brough up some intriguing issues of the limits of Utilitarian philosophy. Mr. Halperin even has the guts to dip into that forbidden territory of Kantian theory to further the plot line and help get the more intelligent readers thinking. This is probably one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read. I look forward to the next book from James L. Halperin with great anticipation.